Au Courant
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Au CourantAu Courant
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From:
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
 
Delaware, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
7%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.57 | pDev: 16.53%
Reviews:
171
Ratings:
190
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 14, 2022
Added:
Dec 04, 2003
Wants:
  28
Gots:
  6
A remarkable, strong Belgian Pale Ale brewed with French Pilsner malt and pale Belgian Candi Sugar. Pureed currants and our house Belgian Ale strain are added to the fermenter to create a unique beer.Brewed to bolster your bluster in the colder weather!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by WaltTrombone:
Photo of WaltTrombone
Reviewed by WaltTrombone from New York

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The happy pun writers at DFH have come up with a compliment to their "Raison dEtre." Au Courant is flavored with currants and candy sugar, so if you're a hop head, this is not your beer.

Aromas were malt, currants, and sugar. Tastes were only slightly more complex, with currant, malt, cherry, and mild citrus peel (just enough to cut the sweetness.) Mouthfeel was smooth and light. It finished surprisingly dry, after all the sweetness, with some mild citrus.

I gave it good marks overall, except on drinkability. I can't see drinking more than one of these at a time, plus I would've liked to see more complexity. This beer reminded me of Wayne Shorter's sax solo in Steely Dan's "Aja," not too many notes, but the few that were in there were mighty tasty.
Jan 16, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3 by mpenske from California

Nov 14, 2022
 
Rated: 3.81 by Gkruszewski from New York

Nov 05, 2021
Photo of crazyspicychef
Reviewed by crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania

1.51/5  rDev -57.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1
I spent way too much money on this case of beer.
It was absolutely horrible.
I enjoy fruit/sour beers but this was not quaffable at all.
I called the brewery to complain as I could not return it.
They gave me a t-shirt.
Nov 15, 2020
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

1.93/5  rDev -45.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.75
A mix of light copper and yellow color, white head, 1/2". Aroma was berries, tart, currants, a little bit weird.

Taste was brutal, how something can be so bitter without much from the hops, but then a sweetness that doesn't play with the bitterness. Dark fruit bitterness, harsh alcohol mouthfeel. Hot stuff.
Mar 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by dannyfayy from Pennsylvania

Dec 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by zestar from California

Aug 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by yourefragile from District of Columbia

Apr 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by GRG1313 from California

Oct 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Varkias41 from New Jersey

Aug 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jul 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by matjack85 from Illinois

Feb 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by POTABLE83 from New York

Jul 06, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Feb 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Dec 20, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by HopStoopid120 from Connecticut

Dec 16, 2011
Photo of BeerFMAndy
Reviewed by BeerFMAndy from Wisconsin

3.97/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle split and poured into a Duvel tulip.
7% ABV, no date (Bottle from 2004!)

A big sloppy wet kiss-thanks to bnieman for sharing this aged bottle from his cellar!

A - Not pale in the least, but oh well, what's a (style) name good for anyway. Blood red and cloudy, Au Courant isn't topped by much head. Thin, loose bubbles cling around the outer edge.

S - Slightly funky yeast notes give way to a fruity underbelly of currants and black cherries. Notes of lactic acidity forewarn of light sourness to come.

T - Merlot-like in flavor, currants and grapes blend nicely with a smooth malt balance. Not totally nuanced, but good regardless.

M - Lightly tart and minimally sour on the finish with a medium-light body and wine-like dryness to the back end.

O - Interesting blend going on in this brew, it's pretty unique but probably much better fresh. Still, Au Courant has hung on very well for it's age!
Dec 06, 2011
 
Rated: 1 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 01, 2011
Au Courant from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 190 ratings